Charli XCX looks set for big wins at BRIT Awards – but singer says she’s ‘stepping away from music’ in shock move

Charli XCX is set to dominate the BRIT Awards on Saturday night, leading the nominations with six nods, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. 

The singer, 32, has already been named Songwriter of the Year, but despite her huge  success, in a shock move, has announced she plans to ‘take a break from music to focus on acting’.

The singer, known for her critically acclaimed 2024 album Brat, revealed she is stepping away from recording, admitting she feels pressure over what comes next. 

She told The Sun: ‘It’s probably no music for quite a while. I also want to act now. I’m already there and thinking about that stuff a little bit more.’ 

Charli’s career has been marked by reinvention, and Brat has been her most successful era yet. 

The album, filled with bold and personal tracks, has earned widespread praise, three Grammy wins, and even inspired a cultural movement dubbed ‘Brat summer.’ 

Charli XCX set for big wins at BRIT Awards – but says she’s ‘stepping away from music’ in shock move

The singer, known for her critically acclaimed 2024 album Brat, revealed she is stepping away from recording, admitting she feels pressure over what comes next

Despite the acclaim, she admitted the overwhelming success of the album has created expectations that will be difficult to surpass. 

She explained: ‘The success of Brat and the marketing of Brat is also, in ways, a curse. I’ll pivot, but whatever I do next will be compared. I’m aware that whatever comes next will be the albatross, so to speak.’

Alongside her music career, Charli has also been making a name for herself in film. 

She has already filmed six movies, including Faces of Death, a remake of the 1978 horror film, I Want Your Sex, an erotic thriller starring Olivia Wilde, and The Gallerist, a dark comedy featuring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Natalie Portman.

She has also starred in the period fantasy 100 Nights of Hero alongside Emma Corrin and worked on Sacrifice, a film inspired by Joan of Arc, starring Anya Taylor-Joy.

Despite being one of the most talked-about stars at this year’s BRIT Awards, Charli has turned down the chance to perform at the ceremony. 

Damian Christian Managing Director and President of Promotions at Atlantic Records (part of Warner Music UK) and Chair of the BRIT Committe confirmed the decision, saying: ‘She’s had an amazing year, a super-busy year, and the word that came back to us was, ‘Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to go and enjoy the night with my friends and family.’

Despite the acclaim, she admitted the overwhelming success of the album has created expectations that will be difficult to surpass

Alongside her music career, Charli has also been making a name for herself in film having already appeared in six movies and is a path she wants to explore (pictured in 100 Nights of Here alongside Olivia D’Lima and Kerena Jagpal)

Talking about her prestigious songwriting prize, introduced in 2022, he said: ‘Charli has had an undeniable year, taking her experimental brand of electronic and pop from underground raves to the heart of mainstream culture. 

‘Charli’s songwriting is distinctive, bold and relentlessly innovative, and, having been one of the UK’s leading songwriters for a number of years now, has taken her craft to new heights with her global phenomenon Brat.

‘I’m delighted she has been recognised for this much deserved award.’

Charli released her sixth studio album BRAT last June, earning the title of the most critically acclaimed album of the year and topping the UK Official Album Chart in October.

The album was also nominated for the 2024 Mercury Prize, while Guess featuring Billie Eilish debuted at Number 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart, making Charli the first British artist to top the charts last year.

A music insider told The Sun at the time: ‘Charli’s team had been in negotiations with the Brits for months and she was set to perform on the night. But she’s decided it didn’t feel right and she doesn’t want the added pressure.

‘She has planned a major performance at the Grammys and the thought of doing the same again at the Brits felt like it was too much.

‘When it comes to the Brits, she still intends to go, but she wants to be able to let her hair down and celebrate without the pressure of getting up to sing — particularly as she won’t be able to party after the Grammys.’

However, there will be live performances from JADE, Lola Young, Myles Smith, and Sabrina Carpenter.

Along with Charli and A. G. Cook, The BRITs have revealed the winners of two more awards in advance of this year’s show.

Announced last year, the winner of this year’s BRITs Rising Star award is Myles and as confirmed earlier this month, Sabrina will be presented with the BRITs Global Success award on the night.

The BRITs will take place live from The O2 arena, and broadcast exclusively on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player.